Despairing Tides (Fate's Intent Book 12)

by Bowles, April

  Bryce closed his eyes for a moment and slowly started to smile. “I can feel it. It’s true.”

  “The others will be happy to hear the news.”

  “Don’t tell them yet.” Bryce said. “We want to be the ones to do it.”

  “All right. Are you ready for this now?” I held up the Remote Gaze potion so he could see it. “If you start now, you should be ready by dinner and you can tell everyone then. I promise, I won’t say a word, not even to your father.”

  “I guess.” Bryce walked around the bed and laid on it. “I’ll have to get it out of the way sometime.”

  I smiled as I walked over and Bryce lifted up the front of his shirt. “Try to stay relaxed. Take a nap if you’d like.”

  “I will as long as you don’t tell anyone without me.”

  “I won’t.” Naomi smiled.

  Bryce laid his head back down on the pillow and looked up at me. “I’m ready. Go ahead.”

  I smiled when Bryce closed his eyes and I placed the bottle upside down over his stomach and the spikes popped open, attaching to his skin around his bellybutton. He did rather well not to move from the pinch and his body started to absorb the liquid.

  “I have yours as well, Naomi.”

  “Okay. Might as well.”

  She got in on the other side and I went around to her and attached the potion to her.

  It was better to get it all out of the way at the same time and I headed to the door next to let them have this time to rest. I looked back once more before fully leaving and watched them take each other’s hand.

  They were so sweet. I was happy to finally see them this way again and I left quietly.

  “How is he?” Troy whispered it just as I closed the door.

  “Fine, of course. Everything is fine.”

  He smiled and took me in his arms. “I’m glad you’re fully back. I wouldn’t have lived if you―”

  “Don’t worry about me, Troy. We still have a very long time to be together. We’re not old yet.”

  “We’re not? I’m glad you think so.”

  I laughed and looked at him as we walked through the hall. “Why do you? You’re not that old.”

  “Our son is grown up, married and about to have a baby. That doesn’t make you feel old? We’re going to be grandparents.”

  “No. It makes me feel blessed. We’re just adding to the already amazing family we have. I wouldn’t want anything else.”

  He finally smiled and met my eyes. “As long as you’re here, I wouldn’t either.”

  He was still just as sweet as the day I met him and I leaned closer to give him a kiss but I was pulled away in an unexpected embrace, even being lifted off the ground.

  “You’re alive!”

  “Darius, put me down!”

  He set me down gently with a laugh. “What? I just missed you.”

  “You couldn’t have been less subtle?” Zayden asked humorously. He stepped passed him and hugged me next. “Though we did miss you.”

  “Thank you. I’d say I missed you too but I don’t really remember what it was like when I slept most of the time.”

  “Did you even dream?” Darius asked.

  I heard a familiar laugh come from behind him. “Please don’t share any of those with us.”

  It was Trever and Darius rolled his eyes.

  “Be nice.” I said before he let out a sound to dispute Trever’s presence. “He’s family too.”

  “Yes I am.” Trever agreed, getting Darius to move so he could hug me next. “And I’m glad you didn’t join father just yet.”

  “You say that like it’s going to be horrible.”

  “It is.”

  I hit his shoulder. “You be nice too. It will be awhile before that.”

  “I know. We get to be grandparents first. Yay!”

  I looked at him a little oddly and then at those around me. “What do you mean we?”

  “Oh, I didn’t tell you? Vera is pregnant too.”

  My eyes widened as much as they possibly could. “What?!”

  “When did you find that out?” Troy asked.

  “Long before you. Apparently, it happened the first time they were together which happened to be the very first day they met.”

  Zayden laughed a little. “Really? I did notice some looks between them then but I didn’t think it would have been anything like that.”

  “Yeah, it’s not that big of a deal, I guess. Oren is happy for them. We just want to get them married before she starts showing in about a month or so.”

  “We’ll definitely be there.” I said. “Just tell us when.”

  “We sure will. Just don’t say anything. I don’t think Rory told your boys yet. He wants to make it special for Vera’s sake and not brag about how awesome he is.”

  I laughed this time. “Awesome? Is that what you call it?”

  “It was their first time together.” Trever explained again.

  “So?” Darius snatched. “Forgetting that happened to me? I didn’t brag.”

  “Actually, it didn’t happen to you. It happened your first time with Red but that wasn’t you’re actual first time.”

  I took a breath. This was all becoming a bit much. “Really? His first time ever and he gets her pregnant?”

  “Come on, Jay. Relax. At least he loves her, right? It might be hard for you to believe but he could have turned out a lot worse. None of you knew what it was like to grow up with Kole at that age.”

  “Thankfully.” I said, turning away to be done with this conversation.

  “Just remember not to say anything.” Trever followed and so did the other three.

  I sighed. “Fine. I’ll add it to the list then.”

  “What list?” Troy asked.

  I smiled and looked back at him. “Of things I’m not supposed to talk about.”

  Troy looked at me in an even more curious way. “You know something about them, don’t you?”

  “About who?” Zayden asked.

  “She just came from Bryce’s room.”

  “Oh, shit. What do you know?” Darius asked.

  It was cute how they were trying to get me to tell them but my lips were sealed as I promised and it ate at them―pretty much the rest of the evening.

  I went back alone to Bryce’s room several hours later when I could get away from the constant questioning and checked on them just as their bodies completed the transformation. It was the perfect timing. I don’t think I could have held back the news for much longer. They needed to come downstairs to share the news for themselves.

  I was ready to go in the dining hall and announce their presence but Bryce stopped us from entering. “Wait. Mother, do you feel that?”

  I paused and took a moment to realize what he was asking me again but I felt it just as strong as he did and gasped. “I don’t believe it. Is that even possible?”

  “It has to be.”

  “What?” Naomi wondered, having no idea what was going on.

  Bryce looked over at her and smiled. “We’re not the only ones having twins.”

  “What?! Who else?”

  “Both of them.” I whispered.

  “No way. We all are? Do you think they know?”

  I laughed. “No. Would you have known without one of us telling you?”

  “I guess not but can you tell what they are?”

  “They’re too far away. We’ll have to get closer. I’ll give you a signal to let you know as soon as I do.”

  Naomi smiled and nodded. “Okay!”

  “Wait, mother. There’s something else.”

  “What?” I peeked in and saw Vera sitting next to Rory, smiling brightly through conversation. It was coming from her.

  “It couldn’t be.” Bryce said. “Could it?”

  “Don’t say anything, Bryce. They already know.”

  “Why haven’t they told us?”

  “I’m sure they’re going to on their own time. So let it be them that shares it. You have something else
to share.”

  “Right. Shall we join them now?” Bryce held his arm out to Naomi like the gentleman he is. “If they’re like you than I guess we already know where the future Kalu Assassins and Great Seni Fighters will come from.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  We all walked in together and everyone was gathered at the table.

  “Bryce!” Cadence smiled, seeing him for the first time on his feet since he’s been better.

  “Nice to see you up and about.” Zayden said.

  “It’s good to be back. I guess I have you to thank for that.”

  Dirk smiled as Bryce sat next to him. “Yes, well, we’ve come a custom to having to save your ass.”

  “Then I guess I’m grateful to have an ass worth saving.”

  Everyone at the table laughed.

  “It runs in the family.” Rory said. “And it was worth it to save the rest of us. I mean, I was beginning to hate the silence which, by the way, I know you know.”

  Bryce smiled and shared a look with me. “When were you going to tell us?”

  “Eventually, I’d hoped you would have noticed.”

  “What are we talking about?” Seth asked.

  “Go ahead.” Bryce said.

  Rory smiled proudly like this was something he truly did want and took Vera’s hand. “We’re going to be parents too.”

  “What?!” Dirk laughed loudly like it had to have been a joke or something but no one else was laughing. “You’re not kidding? When did this happen?”

  “We don’t need to get into the details.” Rory said. “But it will be before you.”

  Seth laughed this time. “Nice! You’re first time with her or something?”

  “Or something.”

  “Do you know what it is yet?” Adele asked.

  “I’m voting for girl.” The men looked around at each other oddly from his response.

  “Why?” Zayden asked.

  “Because. Kaluian women are awesome. I thought you would have figured that out already.”

  “Would you like me to tell you if you’re right?” Bryce asked.

  “You don’t have to. I am.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I can hear her in there. You can’t? Oh, that’s right. You can’t. You do something else that’s not nearly as brilliant.”

  “All right. Cool it.” Trever said. “I hear Bryce has some news of his own that he’s going to share with us.

  Now, everyone’s focus was one Bryce and he looked right at me. I was doing my own research while they talked and all I had to do was flash him a quick smile.

  “Really?”

  I nodded.

  “What, really?” Lana asked.

  Bryce and I shared another look.

  “All right. What’s going on?” Cadence wondered.

  “Can’t you feel it?” I asked.

  Cadence paused while putting her head down and concentrated for a moment. It took longer for her since it was probably a side of the gift she doesn’t often use but she got something because she gasped and looked across the table at Seth.

  “What?” He asked.

  “That can’t be right.” Cadence said as she looked back at me. “I know I’m one but I mean, the rarity of that happening at all is like—”

  “The way it was intended?” I suggested.

  She still couldn’t seem to believe it and sat back in her chair, taking slow breaths.

  “Um, hello?” Seth wondered. “What’s going on?”

  “Yes. Please tell us now.” Troy said.

  I just smiled and looked at Cadence. “You want to tell them?” She quickly pressed her lips together and shook her head. I then looked to Naomi and she pretended she didn’t notice. “Bryce?”

  “I don’t think I’m really the one to. Why don’t you do it for us?”

  I sighed and looked around the table.

  “Jaylyn, what is it?” Adele asked. “You’ve been hanging this over us for a few hours. What do you know?”

  “It’s about their offspring.”

  Lana smiled. “You mean you know what they are too?”

  I nodded.

  “Well?” Ruby asked.

  “It’s three boys.” I said softly as everyone began to smile. “And—three girls.”

  “What?!” Everyone reacted at the same time who didn’t already know.

  “You mean twins right?” Dirk wondered. “That is what you mean?”

  Bryce laughed and patted the back of his shoulder. “Yes. It surprised me too.”

  “This is unbelievable.” Darius said.

  “And you’re sure they’re all a boy and a girl?” Adele wondered.

  “It’s been confirmed three times.” I said. “I would say that’s proof enough, wouldn’t you?”

  Everyone smiled.

  “Well, it would seem congratulations is in order.” Zayden said. “You’ve got the makings of a solid foundation for both worlds.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Bryce smiled as he lifted his glass. “I recently just said the same thing.”

  Everyone smiled and we all lifted a glass.

  “To the future.” Zayden declared.

  “To peace.” Adele added.

  “To the future of peace.” Everyone said.

  We all took a drink and embarked on the celebration of the future generations to come.

  I put my glass down with a sigh and looked around the table at all the happy faces, starting their own conversations. It was such a joyous sight but I could still see something missing. “I wish Ellie was here to see this.”

  We got our powers back but we haven’t heard anything from the other side yet.

  “Don’t worry.” Troy said, touching my hand lightly. “She is.”

  He glanced out the large windows at the night sky and I did too. It was only proof that our worlds wouldn’t be separated forever because two green stars twinkled their light a little brighter for a moment and the sound of Ellie’s laugh echoed and her voice, words of joy. “Your happily ever after.”

  The End

  As it was and has always been

  Fate’s Intent